HomeMy WebLinkAbout07.16.24 HRC MinutesHuman Relations Commission
Tuesday, July 16, 2024
Online- Meeting
6:00 p.m.
COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Fikir Yacob, Carlos Valdez, Aaron Gabriel Neyer, Jean
Hilaire Rejouis
COMMISSIONERS ABSENT:
STAFF PRESENT: Elizabeth Crowe, Christian Phillips, Taylor Reimann
GUEST SPEAKER: Taylor Reimann
INTERPRETERS: Elena Klaver and Maira Oliva.
I. Call to Order/ Roll Call
The July 16, 2024, HRC meeting is called to order at 6:18 p.m.
II. Agenda Adjustments – none. Fikir made motion to accept agenda, Neyer seconded.
Approved 4-0.
III. Approval of Minutes
Commissioner Neyer moves to approve the April 16, 2024 minutes. Commissioner
Yacob seconds. Motion carries 4-0.
IV. Public Participation
A. Community member Mark Fearer spoke regarding Gaza/Israel issue. Fearer
expressed interest in the HRC helping with community dialogue about this
issue. It could be heavily moderated and mediated. The HRC seems to have
taken on such issue in the past and asks the HRC to consider this.
1. Commissioner Neyer supported this discussion with a motion; others affirmed
unanimously. Staff added the topic to the Discussion agenda item.
V. Action Items
A. Input on Minimum Wage Engagement. Taylor shared an overview of the
initiative to explore increasing minimum wage. She shared about the types of
engagement conducted; who responded; and some of the key topics and themes
that arose from both employers, employees and other community members.
Regionally, this included regional economic factors; impacts on community
members; and the appropriate role of local governments on this issue.
Regarding engagement in Boulder, Taylor shared that the effort in Boulder
included in-person engagement meetings; canvassing businesses not including
the downtown business district (to expand engagement); and online surveys.
Some of the 25 themes in the Boulder engagement strategy include ability to
meet basic needs; quality of life; concerns about inflation on community
members; benefits cliff, societal benefits; union leverage; enabling students to
stay; child care. Employer issues include possible increase business/employer
costs; wage inequity and compression; reduction in employee hours; etc.
Questions for commissioners: 1) did the report capture the range of
perspectives on the issues? 2) any suggestions for staff on how to make this
easier to understand? Wednesday, July 17 at 5pm
• Yes, this expresses the range of perspectives.
• Presenting the summary helps us understand these perspectives
• Agree that the presentation is engaging and comprehensive
• Regarding the “other options” for improving quality of life
from min wage increase opponents: would like to know what
those might be so we have it in the back of everyone’s minds.
Taylor shared that one of these is housing; health care
challenges; agriculture; child care....reducing those costs would
be lowered.
• How might this affect our community from an equity
perspective. The engagement report did not look at this as
much, however the economic report is focusing on the equity
issue as most people making minimum wage in Boulder are
people of color and do not have advanced education. One
would assume or infer that increased minimum wage would
• Consideration for the industry impacts, the other mitigating
factors.
• Desire to see the economic report when it’s final. Might not be
something that Taylor would present but HRC can be informed.
B. Debrief from June events. Aaron shared that the Boulder Pride event was a
beautiful event. Other Commissioners were not able to participate.
VI. Discussion/Informational Items:
A. Human Trafficking: interest in making this happen. JH noted that he was
interested in this topic several years ago. Aaron offered to meet with
Elizabeth or Christian and Ana Silvia Avendano-Curiel to explore options for
HRC hosting a community training with the Laboratory to Combat Human
Trafficking.
B. HRC Retreat: members interested in having a retreat. Perhaps covering the
HRO again and hearing some recent background on what kinds of
cases/claims/etc. are coming in. Support to do this (Christian and Roberto).
C. Gaza/Israel: dialogue about something in the Middle East is not necessarily
something that the city or HRC should be concerned with. However this is
an issue that is causing a lot of tension in the community (based on their
backgrounds and views) and people who are being affected by this kind of
global topic. So, it wouldn’t be about the Gaza/Israel issue but COULD be
about the better dialogue for tensions like this. Want to be able to promote
dialogue and not create more conflict. Find out a way to approach this topic
where there are ‘two sides’ and in a neutral space ourselves. Aaron
VII. Staff Updates-
A. Elizabeth shared that the homelessness day center is now open at Boulder
Shelter for Homeless (BSH) and operating during hours that previously, BSH
had been closed. She also shared the link for the Police Oversight Panel as
there had been previous commissioner interest in the panel. Additionally, the
upcoming discussion of the Chronic Nuisance Ordinance at the July 25th City
Council meeting and how to participate in City Council meetings were shared.
Lastly, the link for the HRC Workplan was shared with commissioners and
Elizabeth reminded commissioners that this would be updated throughout
the year.
VIII. Updates from Commissioners-
A. Events: Tuesday August 6 is National Night Out, opportunity for law enforcement to
connect and get involved with the community. It will take place at Foothills
Community Park in north Boulder from 5pm – 8pm. There will be City staff, Boulder
Police Dept, and Boulder Fire Dept staff there as well as events for children and the
community. All commissioners, and the community, are invited. Carlos will send the
flyer to Christian to circulate among commissioners.
B. Other items- none
IX. Follow Up Items-
A. Carlos to send Christian and/or Elizabeth flyer for National Night Out
B. Aaron to put together communication for Christian/Elizabeth to pass along to
City Managers Office regarding Israel/Gaza topic
C. Christian and Elizabeth to connect with Carlos and JH to discuss retreat
D. Christian, Elizabeth, and Aaron to discuss with Ana Silvia Avendano-Curiel
potential for HRC sponsored human trafficking training for community
X. Adjournment
Commissioner Neyer moves to adjourn the July 16, 2024 meeting at
8:01 p.m. Commissioner C. Valdez seconds the motion to adjourn the meeting. Motion
moves 4-0.
Attested: Christian Phillips Approved:
Board Secretary Human Relations Commission Chairperson
Date: 7.16.2024
jean hilaire rejouis (Sep 18, 2024 14:00 MDT)
jean hilaire rejouis
07.16.24 HRC Meeting Minutes
Final Audit Report 2024-09-18
Created:2024-09-18
By:Christian Phillips (phillipsc1@bouldercolorado.gov)
Status:Signed
Transaction ID:CBJCHBCAABAA1cWb0EoUiJ7UEUU2Wp0EieX_A-dBc05X
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